Connecting Classrooms and Colleges showcases how to cultivate successful partnerships between the K-12 setting and higher education to improve science education for all level learners, from kindergarten to graduate school and beyond. A genetics lesson based on that collaboration will be shared.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn how educators can find opportunities to cultivate partnerships with colleges that benefit all that seek to learn and improve science education. A decade long partnership between a University of Georgia Genetics Department and a middle school teacher will be featured.

SPEAKERS:
Audrey Hughes (Clarke Middle School: Athens, GA)

There is no greater challenge then that of providing interesting and leveled reading choices. This is especially so when it comes to Science based non-fiction. A recent influx of titles and resources makes this task a bit easier.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will be introduced to the benefits of the science centered library and given resources to help them build their own.

SPEAKERS:
Michele Bacon (McCaw STEAM Academy: Henderson, NV), William Hall, Jr. (McCaw STEAM Academy: Henderson, NV)

To provide interesting and hands-on activities aligned with the NGSS we constantly need to look outside of the "box." A pet in the classroom provides an interactive way to learn responsibility, connect to the standards, and make meaningful emotional connections in the classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
This session will provide elementary educators with an in depth look at the hands on benefits of a pet in the classroom. This will include a look at the social emotional benefits, classroom enrichment ideas, and how having a pet can be linked to the NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Michele Bacon (McCaw STEAM Academy: Henderson, NV), William Hall, Jr. (McCaw STEAM Academy: Henderson, NV)

Students will be presented with the question if racism is a disease. What is racism? What is a disease? What did you discover?

TAKEAWAYS:
Does racism affect the human body?

SPEAKERS:
Andrea Baxter (Stem Facilitator: Goshen, AL)

We compared student perceptions of the effectiveness of different learning modalities (textbook images, plastic models, an online interactive lab manual, virtual cadaver dissection technology, and a fresh tissue cadaver lab experience) offered in an undergraduate anatomy & physiology course.

TAKEAWAYS:
Using different learning modalities in an undergraduate anatomy & physiology lab course offers more clinically relevant, hands-on, and realistic content to enhance a student's learning experience.

SPEAKERS:
Michele Moore (Butler University: Indianapolis, IN)

Explore the wonders of science with engaging upper elementary experiments! From chemical reactions to animal diversity and electrical circuits, hands-on activities ignite curiosity and inspire learning.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn practical strategies and obtain access to a Google folder with resources for conducting and seamlessly implementing upper elementary hands-on science experiments. Participants will gain insight into fostering inquiry-based learning and promoting STEM engagement in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Suzanne Sutton (5th grade teacher: Boca Raton, FL), Paul Lehman (A.D. Henderson University School: Boca Raton, FL)

Learn how students create and execute immune system posters, which combine analogy, visuals, and concise explanations. This is a low-cost and creative way for students to demonstrate their understanding of the complex workings of the immune system in an engaging and accessible manner!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will see samples of student work demonstrating this approach's effectiveness in understanding the immune system. Teachers will come away with the scaffolding, instructions, and rubrics of this immune system visual/oral project to use in their own classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Beth Pethel (Science Faculty: Hudson, OH)